China 2019

Arriving at the port of Tianjin, China at sunrise	Ship arriving at the Port of Tianjin, China	In the Passenger Terminal at the port of Tianjin, China	Big and empty Passenger Terminal at the port of Tianjin, China	Buses outside the Tianjin Passenger Terminal
Most apartments in China have central heat, but window air conditioners	Bridge to the Shi Family Mansion in Tianjin	Canal in front of the Shi Family Mansion in Tianjin	Statue at the Shi Family Mansion in Tianjin	The Shi Family Mansion in Tianjin was built in 1875
The Shi Family Mansion covers over 64,500 square feet, 12 courtyards, over 200 folk houses, a theater, and over 275 rooms	In a small courtyard of the Shi Family Mansion in Tianjin	Courtyards of the Shi Family Mansion serves as a Chinese folk custom museum	Shi Family Mansion artifacts from the late 1800's	Depiction of arranged marriages in the Shi Family Mansion
Sedan chair in the Shi Family Mansion	Representaion of an ancient wedding procession in the Shi Family Mansion	Carriages were pulled by one or more horses and carried old people and women	Boudoir of unmarried ladies at the Shi Family Mansion	Master's living room at the Shi Family Mansion
Master's bedroom at the Shi Family Mansion	Lion's lucky nose at the Shi Family Mansion	Family counting house in the Shi Family Mansion	Buddha Worshipping Hall at the Shi Family Mansion	The 'fu' door separates the temple and the theater in the Shi Family Mansion
Theater at the Shi Family Mansion	Performances of the Beijing Opera were performed at the theater at the Shi Family Mansion	Photos of Beijing Opera actors in the Shi Family Mansion	Painting on the wall of the theater in the Shi Family Mansion	Garden pond in the Shi Family Mansion
Pagoda in the garden of the Shi Family Mansion	Courtyard in the Shi Family Mansion	Gate in the Shi Family Mansion	First of four arches in the center passageway of the Shi Family Mansion	Baby Buddha with fish was a symbol of luck at the Shi Family Mansion
Tianjin Olympic Center (referred to as the Water Drop) is a multi-use sports complex	Courtyard Outside Tianjin Museum	Bronze Tripod is rated as the number one bronze object out of the Kingdom of Chu (238-227 BC)	'Jadeite Cabbage with Katydid' is over 400 years old. From the Qing Dynasty.	Paired Jade vessels from the Qing Dynasty are very rare
Flat Flask with Imperial mark of Qianlong reign, Qing Dynasty	Avalokiteshvara in white glaze, Qianlong reign, Qing Dynasty	Polychrome wall vases from the Ming Dynasty	The third floor of the Tianjin Musuem focuses on the city's development as a modern city from the Opium War onward	Dragon Turtle serves as the base of the Stele at Tianjin Confucius Temple
In November 1838, the Qing Dynasty siezed and destroyed 4,100 kilograms of opium	The Second Opium War (1856-60) pitted Britain & France using weapons on left against Qing Dynasty using weapons on right	The Second Battle of Taku Forts was a failed Anglo-French attempt to seize the Taku Forts along the Hai River in Tianjin, China	The concessions (shown here) in Tianjin were territories ceded by the Chinese Qing dynasty	In 1879 Li Hongzang (Chinese politician) met with former President Ulysses S. Grant in Tianjin
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, more than 50,00 laborers were abducted from Tianin alone	Presidents of the Republic of China 1913-1924	Lunch in a 'non-tourist' Chinese restaurant	Typical Chinese lunch in Tianjin	Tianjin Radio and Television Tower is the 8th tallest freestanding tower in the world
Tianjin traffic cop	The 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was celebrated on 1 October 2019	The Tianjin Confucius Temple was built some 500 years ago during the Ming Dynasty	Interesting wording on this sign at the Tianjin Confucius Temple	Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher
Bridge at Tianjin Confucius Temple	Stele at Tianjin Confucius Temple	Old Drum at Tianjin Confucius Temple	Temple Bell at Tianjin Confucius Temple	Tianjin Confucian Temple is located on Dongmennei Dajie, Nankai District of Tianjin
Carved decoration on stairs of Tianjin Confucian Temple	Incense burner at Tianjin Confucian Temple	Wishes at Tianjin Confucian Temple	Inside Tianjin Confucian Temple	Inside Tianjin Confucian Temple
Roof ornaments on Tianjin Confucian Temple	Trees with wishes on path to side temple at Tianjin Confucian Temple Complex	Roof ornament on side temple at Tianjin Confucian Temple Complex	Inside a side temple at Tianjin Confucian Temple Complex	Wishes outside a side temple at Tianjin Confucian Temple Complex
Our guide Susan (Shau Shin) with Susan at Tianjin Confucian Temple Complex	Tianjin Eye is a 394 ft tall Ferris wheel above the Yongle Bridge over the Hai River in Tianjin, China	European influence on architecture in the Haihe Cultural Square, Tianjin, China	Wanghailou Church is a Catholic church on the Hai River in Tianjin, built in the French concession in 1869	The Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin replicates the classical architecture of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
18th Street Fried Dough Twists (ma hua) are a traditional snack in Tianjin, China	Beijing, China will host the Winter Olympics in 2022	Interesting statue on the Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin	Statue of Yan Fu (Chinese scholar) on the Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin	Jianbing is a traditional Chinese street food similar to crepes
The Temple of the Queen of Heaven is the oldest architecture in Tianjin -- built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)	Side street off the Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin	'Security Guard' on the Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin	On the Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin	The Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin with Italian-inspired building in the background
Sailing away from Tianjin, China	Passing through a Police Checkpoint between Tianjin and Beijing, China	CITIC Tower in Beijing (1,732 ft) is the tallest building in the city	This stone arch (constructed in 1540) marks the beginning of the 'Sacred Way' to the Ming Tombs of China	Market in front of Ming Tombs of China
Floral display in front of Ming Tombs of China	The Great Palace Gate of Ming Tombs (built in 1426) was the main entrance to the tomb area	Bill acting as temporary tour leader at Ming Tombs	The Ming tombs are a collection of 13 mausoleums built by the emperors (1368-1644) of the Ming dynasty of China	Picnic tables as you enter the Ming tombs
Silk Burning Stove (for burning prayer sheets) along the path to the Hall of Heavenly Favors (Changling Tomb)	Ling'en Palace (Hall of Heavenly Favors) was built in 1427	Changling Tomb scenic area covers about 30 acres	Stele and Roof of Hall of Heavenly Favors at Ming Tombs	Stone carvings on the stone road between the steps of the Hall of Heavenly Favors at Ming Tombs
Dragon-head-shaped stone drainages at the Hall of Heavenly Favors at Ming Tombs	Emperor Zhu Di (honored as Emperor Yongle) led the Ming Dynasty to reach its peak in history	The Hall of Heavenly Favors is built with 16 solid camphor posts	Ceiling in the Hall of Heavenly Favours at Ming Tombs	Ceremonial robe on display at the Hall of Heavenly Favors
Ceremonial robe in the Hall of Heavenly Favors with characters for 'luck' and 'longevity'	Minlou Tower is the joint burial mausoleum of Emperor Zhudi (1360-1424) and his empress Xu	Leaving the Ming Tombs with a view of Yanshan Mountain Range	Restaurant for lunch in Beijing	Carved Jade ship at the entrance to the restaurant for lunch
Inside entrance to restaurant for lunch in Beijing	'Ting' means 'stop' in Mandarin	Investigating a traffic accident in Beijing	Traveling from Beijing to Juyong Pass to visit the Great Wall of China	First look at the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China at Juyongguan	Ready to climb the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan	Warning before we climb the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan	Watchtowers were built at every peak, trough, and turn of the Great Wall between 1569 and 1573	Just started the climb -- still smiling
Train traveling through the Guangou Valley, China	A steep climb on the east side of the great wall at Juyong Pass, China	Looking at the west side of the great wall at Juyong Pass, China	Overlooking the Cloud Platform (built in 1345) at Juyongguan	Fall foliage at Juyong section of Great Wall of China
Chinese tour group atop the Juyong Pass Barbican with canons from 1368-1644 AD	The history of Juyong Pass dates to 770 B.C., but was not connected with the Great Wall until 556 A.D.	Guardian Lion at Juyong Pass Fortress	Chinese Zodiac animals outside the restrooms at Juyong Pass	Year of the Monkey (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028) - Sharp, smart, curiosity
Year of the Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024) - Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic	Year of the Pig (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031) - Compassionate, generous, diligent	Year of the Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020) - Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind	Chinese Caramel Corn for dinner leaving the Great Wall of China	Driving through Beijing, China at Night
Some of Beijing, China's buildings at night	Smoggy morning in Dalian, China	Entering 'The People's Square' in Dalian, China	The People's Square in Dalian, China was originally built as Dairen Tyouja Square by the occupying Japanese in 1914	The People's Square in Dalian, China was renamed Dairen Vissarionovich Square by the occupying Soviets in 1949
This square was finally renamed 'The People's Square' in April 1999	Morning Tai Chi in the People's Square in Dalian, China	Canal in Dalian, China	Shell Museum in Dalian, China is the world's biggest professional shell museum	The Castle Hotel in Dalian, China
Another view of the Castle Hotel in Dalian, China	Ferris Wheel at Labor Park in Dalian, China	Going to visit a typical apartment in Dalian, China	Retired lady living in an apartment in Dalian, China	Dining-living room and door to one bedroom in Dalian, China
Chinese tea, jujubes (Chinese apple fruits), and grapes	Master bedroom in Dalian, China apartment	One of two bedrooms in Dalian, China apartment	Kitchenette in Dalian, China apartment	Bathroom in Dalian, China apartment
Frig magnets in Dalian, China apartment	Common clothesline in Dalian, China apartments	Dalian, China	Corner market in Dalian, China	Visit to a private school in Dalian, China
Young piano prodigies at the Mingxing School	Students at the Mingxing School waiting to greet us with red scarves	Susan with student who presented and tied her red scarf	Young kids at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China
Presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Finale of presentation by students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China
Opportunity to meet some students at the Mingxing School in Dalian, China	Boys will be boys the world over	Susan with tall student at Mingxing School	Hallway of Mingxing School for Young Toddler through Pre-K	Pre-K classroom at Mingxing School
Toddler 1 class at Mingxing School	Young Toddler class at Mingxing School	Middle School class at Mingxing School	Mingxing School Pre-K program	Student at Mingxing School playing the Pipa (sometimes called the Chinese Lute)
Buses at Dalian Mingxing School	Street vendor in Dalian, China	Plaza in front of Laohutan Ocean Park, Dalian, China	Interesting sign at the entrance of the Dalian Ocean Park	Polar Ocean World is one of five theme venues in Dalian Ocean Park
Pole Aquarium at Laohutan Ocean Park	Beluga Whale at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China	Polar Bears at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China	Penguins at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China	Interesting 'Hanmburger' at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China
If you don't want a 'Hanmburger', you can always have Cuttlefish Exploded	Shrimp fish at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China	Iguana at Pole Aquarium in Dalian, China	Lighted sourvenirs at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Florida Gar at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China
Paddlefish at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Eel at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Giant Grouper at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	West African Manatee at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Shark at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China
Turtle at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Damsel fish and Spotted Grouper at the Pole Aquarium, Dalian, China	Restaurant at Ocean Park, Dalian, China	Leaving Ocean Park, Dalian, China	Sculpture outside Ocean Park, Dalian, China
Fresh fish at restaurant in Dalian, China	Fish available by the kilo at restaurant in Dalian, China	Really delicious fish at lunch in Dalian, China	Lighthouse on the dock in Dalian, China	Last look at Dalian, China skyline
Approaching Qingdao, China	It's a little over a half mile walk through Qingdao Passenger Terminal	Port of Qingdao is not only a Passenger Terminal	Qingdao is a major city in the east of Shandong Province, China	Early morning in Qingdao, China
Interesting construction in Qingdao, China	Westerdam and Terminal Building in Qingdao, China	St Michael's Cathedral (built by German missionaries in 1934) in Qingdao, China	St Michael's Cathedral in Qingdao, China is a popular location for wedding photos	Qingdao architecture still shows the influence of German occupation from 1898-1914
Not all brides in Qingdao choose white wedding dresses	In the courtyard of St Michael's Cathedral in Qingdao, China	St Michael's Cathedral was defaced and damaged during the 'Cultural Revolution', but reopened in 1981	'The Sorrowful Mother (Pieta)' in St Michael's Cathedral	Inside St Michael's Cathedral
Mural on the arch of the apse in St Michael's Cathedral	Brides changing area outside St Michael's Cathedral	Interesting outfit at St Michael's Cathedral	More German influence in Qingdao, China	Zhaoqiao Pier (1891) is the symbol of Qingdao, China
The Chinese style Pagoda, called 'Huilan' on Zhaoqiao Pier is featured as the logo of Tsingtao Beer	Qingdao, China viewed from Pier Park	At Zhaoqiao Pier in Qingdao, China	Crowds on Zhaoqiao Pier in Qingdao, China	Pier Park in Qingdao, China
China Customs Building in Qingdao, China	Entrance to the China Customs Building in Qingdao, China	The Badaguan scenic area is another popular place in Qingdao, China for wedding photos	'Huashi Lou' built in 1932 in the Badaguan area of Qingdao, China	In the garden of 'Huashi Lou' mansion in Qingdao, China
In the garden of 'Huashi Lou' mansion in Qingdao, China	In the garden of 'Huashi Lou' mansion in Qingdao, China	In the garden of 'Huashi Lou' mansion in Qingdao, China	Brides in the Badaguan scenic area preparing for wedding photos	Photo shoot in the woods of the Badaguan scenic area
Enjoying a beautiful day in the Badaguan scenic area	Portable barrier makes the Badaguan a pedestrian-friendly zone	There seem to be mostly nice, new cars in China	No traffic in Qingdao, China on Thursday afternoon	More displays celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China
Interestng building in Qingdao, China	Sculpture in Qingdao, China	Lunch menu at Bai Wei Fang Restaurant	Tsingtao Beer bottle with Huilang Pavilion on the label	Entrance to Zhanshan Monastery in Qingdao, China
The Temple Gate at Zhanshan Monastery	The stone lions at Temple Gate were made in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557)	Lotus candles at Zhanshan Monastery in Qingdao, China	Ksitigarbha Buddha is enshrined on the ground floor of the Bell Tower at Zhanshan	The Hall of Bodhisattvas at Zhanshan
The Bodhisattva of Emerald at Zhanshan	Outside the Hall of Mahavira at Zhanshan	Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in the Hall of Mahavira at Zhanshan	This building contains the Centennial Morning Bell at Zhanshan Monastery	The Centennial Morning Bell at Zhanshan weighs 7 Tons
Bill ringing the Centennial Morning Bell at Zhanshan	Olympic Mascot Bell Tower at Zhanshan	View of Zhanshan from Olympic Mascot Bell Tower	View of Qingdao from Olympic Mascot Bell Tower	The Olympic Mascot Bell hangs under this Tower at Zhanshan
Zhanshan Temple pagoda	On the balcony of the Olympic Mascot Bell Tower	Walkway around Zhanshan Temple pagoda	Inside the Zhanshan Temple pagoda	Lower approach to the Zhanshan Temple pagoda
Visiting the Tsingtao Brewery in Qingdao, China	Tsingtao Brewery was founded in 1903	Qingdao is also known as Tsingtao	Tsingtao beer topiary	Tsingtao beer through the years
Tsingtao tasting room	Tsingtao raw beer tasting	Tasting Tsingtao raw beer	Continuing the Tsingtao brewery tour	Walking into a glass of beer at the Tsingtao brewery
At the Tsingtao brewery	Bottling Tsingtao beer	Tsingtao is available in over 70 countries worldwide	Statues at entrance to apartment complex in Qingdao	Smoggy sun in Qingdao
Street cleaner in Qingdao	Qingdao at night	Sailing away from Qingdao, China	Docked in Shanghai, China	View of Baoshan District of Shanghai, China from our balcony on the Westerdam
The Shanghai Wusongkoui International Cruise Terminal	Bike parking in Shanghai, China	Loaded scooter in Shanghai, China	There are a lot of these covers on scooter riders in China traffic	Glad I'm not driving in Shanghai, China
The Sky Wheel is mounted on top of the Joy Shopping Centre in Shanghai	Huangpu is the largest river in central Shanghai	KFC is China's largest restaurant chain	Architecture in Shanghai, China	Neighborhood in Shanghai that was the French Concession from 1849 until 1943
First course of breakfast on Food and Wine Magazine's Amazing Shanhai Eats tour	Xian dou jiang (with spring rolls) is a typical local breakfast dish in Shanghai (it was excellent)	Finishing breakfast in Shanghai with Chinese dumplings	Shanghai government employees hard at work	Loaded bicycle in Shanghai
Flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai	Live crickets for sale in Shanghai	It is believed that grasshoppers can bring happiness and wealth	Fish tanks at the flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai	Birds at the flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai
Crickets raised for fighting in Shanghai	Love birds in the market at Shanghai	Exotic birds in the market at Shanghai	Bird and cage aisle in the market at Shanghai	Live bird food for sale at the market in Shanghai
Insect houses for sale at the market in Shanghai	Other animals for sale at the flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai	For sale at the flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai	Flowers at the flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Shanghai	Painting on wall in Shanghai
Interesting broom for street cleaner in Shanghai	Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel in Shanghai opened in 1934	Shanghai license plates are strictly controlled and auctioned online (average winning bid is about $15,000 USD)	Interesting building in Shanghai, China	Shanghai Museum is a museum of ancient Chinese art
Interesting apartment building in Shanghai	Topiary on Wujiang Road in Shanghai	Cache Boutique Hotel in Shanghai was built in the 1920's	Wujiang Road is a popular snacking street in Shanghai	Nanxiang Mantou Dian in Shanghai first opened its doors in 1900
Starting lunch at Nanxiang Mantou Dian in Shanghai with Rice Wine	Eating rice with chopsticks	Fried sesame sticky rice balls are really good	Inside fried sesame sticky rice balls is sweet	We tried 4 different flavors of xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings)
Shanghai soup dumplings are eaten in two steps	Beer and rice wine are almost gone -- time to leave	Beijing will host the Winter Olympics in 2022	Our group on the Amazing Shanghai Eats tour	Xiang long bao is one of the most famous Chinese steamed dumplings, but one of the most time-consuming to make
The 'Bund' is a waterfront area in central Shanghai	Poinsettias on the 'Bund' in central Shanghai	Flowers along the 'Bund' in central Shanghai	The Bund Lighthouse in Shanghai	Shanghai has almost 1,000 building over 30 stories tall
Shanghai Tower (right) is 2nd tallest building in the world (128 floors)	Shanghai World Financial Center (nicknamed The Botte Opener) is the tallest building in the world with a hole	The Oriental Pearl Shanghai Tower Radio and Television Tower was the tallest structure in China from 1994-2007	Crossing the Huangpu River in Shanghai	The Bund Centre Building in Shanghai is topped with a crown in the shape of a lotus flower
Fruit market in central Shanghai	Lamb kebab street vendor in Shanghai	Pita bread to go along with lamb kebabs	Eating lamb kebabs in Shanghai	Lamb kebabs were a little spicy so Judy (our guide) and Bill had to finish them off
Street market butcher in Shanghai	Some old 'downtown villages' still exist in Shanghai	'Downtown villages' in the shadow of highrises in Shanghai	Silkworm cocoons are placed in hot water to kill the pupae and loosen the filaments	Silk threads being extracted from the cocoons
A king-size silk quilt costs from $125-155	A crane that is shown with its wings stretched out and one leg raised stands for longevity	Trip to an underground Shanghai market for 'knock-offs' was not worth the effort	Power lines in some countries are unbelievable	Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and Second Military Medical University was founded in 1949
Skyscraper named 'Tomorrow Square' houses the JW Marriott Hotel and executive apartments	Shanghai Exhibition Center was built in 1955 as the Sino-Soviet Friendship Building	Jing'an Temple was first built in 247 AD in the Wu Kingdom and relocated to Shanghai in 1216	Looks like a fun restaurant in Shanghai	Fountains in Columbia Circle, Shanghai
The Columbia Country Club was a favorite hangout spot for Shanghai's American expats during the 1920s and 30s	Dessert at Miss Sth in Columbia Circle, Shanghai	Coffee at Miss Sth in Columbia Circle, Shanghai	Sweet lotus tea at Miss Sth in Columbia Circle, Shanghai	Miss Sth version of a chocolate shake, Shanghai
The fountains at Columbia Square, Shanghai	Shanghai Exhibition Center at Night	Headed back to the ship in Shanghai traffic at 10 PM	'Tomorrow Square' skyscraper at night	Leaving Shanghai for the port
Back at the Port of Shanghai	View from our balcony at the Port of Shanghai	View of Shanghai from our balcony on the Westerdam	On the G2 Highway from Shanghai to Suzhou, China	Traveling from Shanghai to Suzhou, China.jpg
Town between Shanghai and Suzhou, China	Houseboat on the Wusong River in China	Suzhou, China (founded in 514 BC) is now a city of over 6 million people	Hazy view of the Gate of the Orient which is the tallest building in Suzhou, China	Big furniture mall in Suzhou, China
Suzhou is often dubbed 'The Venice of China'	Pedestrian walkway in Suzhou, China	City walls of Suzhou date to 1662	When China's Grand Canal was completed (609 AD), Suzhou became a major trading port	Tiger Hill Pagoda (961 AD) in Suzhou is nicknamed the 'Leaning Tower of China'
Breakfast in Old Town Suzhou, China	The Streets of Old Town Suzhou, China	Suzhou, China has 168 bridges	Ready for a boat ride on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	The original Puji Bridge in Suzhou dates to the 7th century AD, but the current structure was completed in 1710
Bridge out of service in Suzhou	Doing laundry in the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	On the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	On the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Life on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China
Watching boats on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	The Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	The Grand Canal in Suzhou, China is not just for tourists	On the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	On the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China
Drying shoes on a wooden balcony on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	More recent addition on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Gardening on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Flowers on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	New construction on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China
I think the guide said this is a temple on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Not sure if this is a temple or city gate in Suzhou, China	Fishing on the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Mural under bridge tells the story of Suzhou, China	Historic area of Suzhou, China on the Grand Canal
Suzhou, China Grand Canal	Newer houses on Suzhou, China Grand Canal	Boys playing along the Grand Canal in Suzhou, China	Visiting the Silk Embroidery Research Institute in Suzhou, China	Lightning rod on the Silk Embroidery Research Institute in Suzhou, China
Su embroidery has a history of more than 2,000 years	It takes about 1 year to do a medium-size piece of 'double-sided Su embroidery'	Two sides of a piece of 'double-sided silk embroidery' which changes when it spins in it's frame	Chinese food delivery at the Silk Embroidery Research Institute in Suzhou, China	Bridge on 20 small canals in Suzhou
Time for lunch in Suzhou, China	Garden entrance to restaurant in Suzhou, China	Traditional Chinese lunch in Suzhou, China	Interesting soup -- thanks, but no thanks	Tieling Pass (guard tower built in 1557) Suzhou, China
Fruit cart in Suzhou, China	Girls in traditional dress in Suzhou, China	The Humble Administrator's Garden (in Suzhou) is one of China's most famous gardens	The Humble Administrator's Garden was built in 1526 (during the Ming Dynasty)	Rocks and plants are 2 of 4 key elements of Chinese gardens
Water and architecture are 2 of 4 key elements of Chinese gardens	The Humble Adminstrator's Garden covers 13 acres in Suzhou, China	Round Gate in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Hall of Elegance in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Distant Fragrance Hall in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden
Inside the Distant Fragrance Hall in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Fragrant Isle is a land-boat structure, named for the smell of the lotus blossoms in Surging Wave Pond	Mandarin ducks in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Overlooking the Surging Wave Pond in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Crossing a bridge in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden
Rooftop ornamentation in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Walkway in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Walkway in The Humble Adminstrator's Garden	Traditional Chinese boats near The Humble Administrator's Garden	Police checkpoint near Suzhou, China
Between Suzhou, China and Shanghai, China	Church in Shanghai	Songjiang Square Pagoda in the old town of Songjiang (suburban Shanghai) was completed in 1077	Hazy view of Shanghai as we leave the port